Protestants Put More Emphasis On Ash Wednesday

Today, Ash Wednesday, marks the beginning of the traditional season of Lent, and though traditional liturgical denominations — such as Roman Catholic — have always placed an importance on the day, a trend shows that more Protestants are acknowledging the event than ever before.

The Houston Chronicle reports that Protestant churches are really beginning to see how encouraging their believers to participate in Ash Wednesday will heighten their renewed commitment to Christ throughout Lent. In turn, that commitment can culminate with a better understanding of Easter.

“There is a trend ... toward more sacramental forms and it is not surprising to see the recovery of imposition of ashes on Ash Wednesday,” the Rev. Daniel K. Dunlap, vice president of Houston Graduate School of Theology, told the Chronicle.

Even some Baptist churches, including Covenant Baptist Church in Houston, have begun to observe the day.

Ash Wednesday services are highlighted by the imposition of ashes, a rite that involves a presiding minister marking believers with an ash crosses on their foreheads. A reading from Genesis 3:19 — “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” — usually accompanies.

“I put my thumb into a bowl of ashes and I put the ashes on someone's forehead and tell him he is going to die,” the Rev. Jeremy Rutledge of Covenant Baptist told the Chronicle. “It is incredibly powerful.”